Lord of Dunkeathe by Margaret Moore

Author:Margaret Moore
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: 0
Published: 2011-03-17T12:17:34+00:00

"Yes," Nicholas replied, trying to make it sound as if this was something not at all odd or out of the ordinary, although it was certainly both.

Yet what else could he do, with Alfred gone and guests still in Dunkeathe? He needed someone to supervise the kitchen, and it couldn't be him, or Robert, either. His steward had enough to do without that additional burden. Instead, he'd immediately turned to Riona, as he would ask a trusted comrade to take over command of his men in battle. Perhaps he should have taken more time to think about this decision, but he didn't regret it.

"I must point out, my lord, that Alfred's a most excellent cook. I've had many compliments on your behalf for the fine table and he keeps a tight rein on the costs and now that he knows you don't approve of his methods—"

"He beat the spit boy," Nicholas reiterated, in a tone intended to convey, once and for all, that there would be no second chances after that.

Robert flushed and shuffled his feet. "My lord, if I had known, I assure you, I would have—"

"You knew nothing of what was going on in the kitchen?"

Robert's blush deepened and he didn't meet Nicholas's gaze. "No, I didn't, my lord, to my shame. I should have paid more heed to the way Alfred was treating his underlings."

Nicholas nodded. "Yes, you should—and so should I. It should not have fallen to a guest to inform us of Alfred's brutality. I want you to make it clear, Robert, that from now on, I will not countenance such treatment of any servant in my household, no matter how humble he or she may be."

"Yes, my lord." Robert cleared his throat. "Unfortunately, some of the other guests might wonder about this, um, selection of Lady Riona. They'll surely think that's a mark of your favour and take it as a sign of your intention to give her that place permanently, as your wife."

"Since Lady Riona's uncle claims she has many years experience in that regard, I thought I would give her a chance to prove it. I'll also give the other ladies the same opportunity to demonstrate that they're capable of running my household."

Robert eyes widened. "As a sort of test, my lord?"

"Exactly." He rubbed his chin. "And I've asked Lady Riona to supervise the preparation of something Marianne's husband will like. He's always complaining about Norman dishes."

Robert looked shocked. "He's never said a word to me about that, my lord."

"It's nothing," Nicholas said, waving his hand dismissively. "I think Adair enjoys trying to annoy me. If it wasn't the food, it'd be something else." Nicholas gave his steward a hint of a smile. "So this time, I'll provide him with food he should enjoy and see if I'm right."

A relieved Robert grinned, then sobered. "I do hope Lady Riona's abilities haven't been overestimated by her uncle."

From what he had already seen of her relationship with the servants and even his soldiers, Nicholas didn't think they had.

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